While we are usually pretty lucky with the weather, there are times when it is pouring with rain or blowing a gale. In these conditions it is not much fun fishing - and sometimes unsafe to do so - meaning that the best thing to do is to cancel the event. Consequently, if the weather looks dodgy and an event looks in danger of being cancelled, the best thing to do is to phone me on my mobile number – 07704 602180 – beforehand to check and see if it is on.

Sunday, 8th March, 2020 Time: 5.30 pm – 9.30 pm Venue: Babbacombe Pier Event: Social fish and teach-in for adults and juniors High Tide: 5.27 pm Height: 4.6 m.
The pier hasn’t been fishing too badly recently with a chance of several species depending on the baits that you choose to fish. You could try mackerel, sandeels or squid strip for whiting, pout and dogfish but there will also be a chance of three bearded rockling on squid heads fished a bit closer in. There is also the chance of a few mackerel being caught on floats fished with starlites into the dark. For tackle, I would stick to carp or spinning rods rather than beachcasters but it is entirely up to you. Personally I would put out two rods; one a double hook paternoster on the bottom with fish strip or sandeels on both hooks and the second a running leger baited with whole squid.

Sunday, 15th March, 2020 Time: 9.00 am – 1.00 pm Venue: Brixham Breakwater Event: Social fish and teach-in for adults and juniors High Tide: 11.54 pm Height: 4.0 m.
Hopefully there should be some mackerel around and perhaps even the odd garfish or two. For people fishing on the bottom, dogfish and wrasse should make an appearance with perhaps a few other species thrown in for good measure. Wrasse can also be caught on float-fished crab and ragworm baits and there should be a good chance of a few pollack making an appearance. Thin strips of mackerel or squid strip both good baits at this time of year for float fishing but larger chunks or fillets on the bottom could also be useful to see what else might be around. For tackle, I would probably stick to a bottom rod with running leger and a fairly big bait on one and a light float fishing rod with mackerel strip on the other. For people wishing to experiment, LRF (Light Rock Fishing) rods will winkle out a few species on either small lures or hybrid tackles baited with a little bit of ragworm.

Sunday, 22nd March, 2020 Time: 6.00 pm – 10.00 pm Venue: Babbacombe Pier Event: Social fish and teach-in for adults and juniors High Tide: 5.25 pm Height: 4.3 m.
The tides for this weekend aren’t great so the pier seems probably the best bet for your string to be pulled. You could try mackerel, sandeels or squid strip for pout and dogfish but there will also be a chance of three bearded rockling on squid heads fished a bit closer in. There is also the chance of a few mackerel being caught on floats fished with starlites into the dark. For tackle, I would stick to carp or spinning rods rather than beachcasters but it is entirely up to you. Personally, I much regret that I will not be able to go since both Julie and myself have to self-isolate for the next three months. I wish you all luck though.

Advance notice: Woodlands Leisure Park – Camping Weekend
We have arranged a camping weekend at Woodlands Leisure Park on Friday, 19th June 2020. You may go to the park after 1.00 pm on Friday, camp overnight and get entrance into the park on the Saturday. You then camp over Saturday night and have free entrance to the park all day Sunday although your tent must be removed from the site before 5.00 pm.
If we get enough people, then the cost will be £82.00 per unit (family of four) for the whole weekend, which is excellent value for money. However if we can put together a group with more than 23 units then we should be able to get a further reduction. Electrics are available at £4.50 per night and you can take additional people at a cost of £13.00 per person. If you have a caravan or camper van, you are quite welcome to use these instead of a tent but there are rules that you will need to see the rally steward about. (There are also a few loan tents available from Baywater Anglers.) If you, or any of your friends, are interested in the trip, could you please let me have a £10 deposit as soon as possible. The balance must then be paid by 9th June 2020.

BOAT TRIP
I have had nine people reply so I have booked the African Queen for 3rd May, 2020. Cost will be £40 per head with nine or £37 with ten. (Covers cost of charter plus a contribution towards squid, which is really expensive at the moment.) Bring your own ragworm, lugworm, peeler crabs or prawns please. Meet up at the Kingswear Marina car park for 8.00 a.m. with boat leaving at 8.30 a.m. and returning at 4.30 p.m. Allow plenty of time for travel because it is the Brixham pirate festival so the roads will be busy.